TORONTO -- A Canadian father is suing the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association after his 16-year-old son failed to win the league's most valuable player award.

Michael Croteau is seeking about $200,000 in psychological and punitive damages from the association. He also demands that the MVP trophy be taken from the winner and given to his son, Steven.

Croteau told the Globe and Mail newspaper in a story published Thursday that Steven was the New Brunswick Bantam AAA leading scorer, which made him the most valuable player. He said the youth was so crushed when another player won the award at a banquet in March that he lost his desire to play.

The league's nine coaches or managers select the most valuable player, and voting results are not disclosed.

Steven had a league-leading 45 goals and 42 assists in 27 games, while the boy named most valuable player finished fourth in league scoring with 21 goals and 39 assists.

"How do you justify that?'' Croteau said in the Globe and Mail. "It's quite obvious he's the most valuable forward in the league.''

Brian Whitehead, the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association executive director, confirmed the lawsuit was filed but declined to discuss details.